Archive for the ‘press media events’ Category

There’s no shortage of hype and controversy when it comes to the 2020 Toyota Supra. The return of this iconic nameplate has divided enthusiasts and sparked a firestorm of opinions, with some heralding its return, and others deriding its Bavarian influences. But putting all that aside, the most important question remains unanswered – what’s it like to drive? To answer that, Toyota flew me out to Virginia, where I was given the opportunity to see what the A90 Supra can do on the track, and how it handles the street. This is what happened.

Toyota introduced the Supra nameplate back in the late ‘70s with the A40 Celica Supra. The second-gen A60 arrived in 1981, followed by the third-gen A70 in 1986, and the fourth-gen A80 in 1993. Unfortunately, following dwindling sales numbers and stricter emissions laws, the U.S.-spec A80 got the axe in 1998. Now, more than two decades later, this import performance icon is back for an all-new fifth generation. Unsurprisingly, the Supra has been subjected to nearly endless scrutiny from both the motoring press and the enthusiast public, but first-hand experience has been sorely lacking. Until now, that is. Toyota flew me out to Virginia to drive the 2020 Supra both on a racetrack and on the street, and I found out exactly what it brings to the table.

Like death and taxes, Internet comments asserting that the 2020 Toyota Supra isn’t a “real” Toyota seem inevitable. On the surface, the accusation seems justified. After all, the Supra and 2019 BMW Z4 share the same platform, engine, and transmission. Hell, even the switchgear is similar. So where exactly does the BMW end and the Toyota begin?

Well, according to Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada, Toyota’s influence can be found from the ground up. I recently got a chance to climb behind the wheel of the 2020 Toyota Supra during a ride-and-drive event in Virginia, and Tada-san was in attendance to help answer our questions, providing clarification on the nature of Toyota’s partnership with BMW during the A90 Supra’s development.

The 2020 Toyota Supra was designed with one very clear goal in mind – fun behind the wheel. However, given the Supra is still a road car that folks will likely drive on the street with, you know, stuff in it, it’s worth checking out what it offers in terms of practicality. Luckily, the Supra does indeed come with a hatchback cargo area that can fit stuff inside it.

After years of waiting, endless teasers, and more than a few false flags, the fifth-generation A90 Supra is finally here. Carrying the torch as Toyota’s modernized performance icon and halo vehicle, the 2020 Supra has plenty to live up to. And while most of you are chomping at the bit to learn what it’s like to drive, you’ll have to wait until the embargo lifts on Sunday for my full driven review. Until then, I want to relay everything I can about this machine, including my first impression of the interior.

When Toyota released the new fifth-generationA90 Supra at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, I wasn’t terribly impressed by its styling, saying that it looked like a “dumbed-down, bastardized version” of the FT-1 concept upon which it was based. And I still think that’s true – the FT-1 is an amazing piece of design, and the production A90 Supra can’t live up to the standard it sets. However, after spending some one-on-one time with the A90 in Virginia (courtesy of Toyota), I’m starting to come around.

I just got back from Middleburg, Virginia, where Toyota provided me with a 2020 Supra to flog around a racetrack. You’ll have to come back Sunday for my full in-depth driving impressions and review, but until then, there’s still a few things to say about the brand’s latest performance machine. For starters, the new Supra is surprisingly small in person.

Sometimes, this job comes with some pretty cool perks. Last week, during my visit to Savannah, Georgia, where I drove the 2020 Toyota Corolla Sedan, Toyota had a little surprise waiting for me – a ride-along with Ryan Tuerck in his mind-altering Corolla Hatch drift car. Suffice to say, the experience made quite the impression on me.

Toyota just introduced the twelfth-generation Corolla Sedan for the 2020 model year, and while the latest generational changeover brings a long list of updates, one of the biggest is the addition of a hybrid powertrain option. But why would the hybrid be our pick when there’s a new, more powerful 2.0-liter offered as well? Read on to find out.

Last week, I was in Savannah, Georgia, driving the new 2020 Toyota Corolla Sedan and while I was there, Toyota had a surprise waiting for me – a ride along with Ryan Tuerck in his 1,000-horsepower Toyota Corolla Hatchback drift machine! It was an incredible experience, and it served as a stark reminder of just how amazing drifting really is.

First rolling off the production line in 1966, the Toyota Corolla has been around for over five decades. In 2013, Toyota celebrated an astonishing 40 million units sold for the nameplate, which makes it the most popular car in history. Now there’s a new twelfth generation for the 2020 model year, and it offers refreshed styling, a new interior stuffed with a wide variety of technology and features, a new architecture, and a new Hybrid trim level, all at a reasonable price point. However, with SUVs and crossovers dominating the sales charts, does the 2020 Toyota Corolla have what it takes to carry the torch for the sedan segment? To find out, I flew out to Savannah, Georgia, to experience it first hand, all courtesy of Toyota.

First rolling off the production line in 1966, the Toyota Corolla has been around for over five decades. In 2013, Toyota celebrated an astonishing 40 million units sold for the nameplate, which makes it the most popular car in history. Now there’s a new twelfth generation for the 2020 model year, and it offers refreshed styling, a new interior stuffed with a wide variety of technology and features, a new architecture, and a new Hybrid trim level, all at a reasonable price point. However, with SUVs and crossovers dominating the sales charts, does the 2020 Toyota Corolla have what it takes to carry the torch for the sedan segment? To find out, I flew out to Savannah, Georgia, to experience it first hand, all courtesy of Toyota.

Not only is the Toyota RAV4 a critical model in Toyota’s lineup, but it’s also the benchmark for the compact crossover segment as a whole. First introduced in 1994, the RAV4 now enters its fifth generation and twenty-second year of production for the 2019 model year. Highlights for this latest update include a fresh look, a revamped interior, the latest tech goodies, a new platform under the skin, and the new off-road-ready Adventure grade. The hybrid powertrain returns as well. Overall, the 2019 Toyota RAV4 looks to keep its spot at the top of the crossover heap – but does it? To find out, Toyota flew me out to Carmel, California to give it a drive.

I test drove the BMW M240i xDrive Convertible. The small BMW convertible showed me why I liked BMWs so much, it sparked the fire in my heart for BMWs once again, and I am not going back, ever. I love BMW, and now, finally, I definitely know why. It is for me. I am sure, if you had to chance to drive the M240i through a few bends on the mountain roads of the Gorges du Verdon canyon in France, the M240i would grow in your heart as well.

It is sublime!

I can’t even imagine what kind of a beast the M2 is. I haven’t driven it yet, but I am eagerly waiting to do so.

Continental AG invited me to spend three days in Nice, France, drive really nice cars, experience its #blackchili driving experience and gorge on vine and fish of all kinds prepared by some of the best chefs around.

I said yes.

This is what I saw, drove and experienced there.

1,780 horsepower worth of cars were parked down the alley of a hotel with a golf course. All of them were white, all of them had OEM Continental tires on them. UUHP tires, mind you. That is short for Ultra Ultra High Performance and all of them had striking, yet subtle Continental decals. Right from the get-go, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a classic journalist driving event. It was more of a celebration and a party. I liked it.

The weather was at nice 78 degrees Fahrenheit, without a single cloud on the perfectly blue sky over the Cote d’Azur. Down at that parking – 10 cars – two Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabrios, two BMW M240i xDrive Convertibles, two Porsche 718 Boxsters, two Tesla Model Ss, and two Audi RS3 Sportbacks.

FYI, the Porsche was the least powerful one there. And when the Porsche is the least powerful at a car event, things are off to a good start.

Continental AG invited me to spend three days in Nice, France, drive really nice cars, experience its #blackchili driving experience and gorge on vine and fish of all kinds prepared by some of the best chefs around.

I said yes.

This is what I saw, drove and experienced there.

1,780 horsepower worth of cars were parked down the alley of a hotel with a golf course. All of them were white, all of them had OEM Continental tires on them. UUHP tires, mind you. That is short for Ultra Ultra High Performance and all of them had striking, yet subtle Continental decals. Right from the get-go, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a classic journalist driving event. It was more of a celebration and a party. I liked it.

The weather was at nice 78 degrees Fahrenheit, without a single cloud on the perfectly blue sky over the Cote d’Azur. Down at that parking – 10 cars – two Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabrios, two BMW M240i xDrive Convertibles, two Porsche 718 Boxsters, two Tesla Model Ss, and two Audi RS3 Sportbacks.

FYI, the Porsche was the least powerful one there. And when the Porsche is the least powerful at a car event, things are off to a good start.

The Lexus ES enters its seventh generation this year, offering a new design, fresh underpinnings, an updated engine lineup (including a hybrid), the latest infotainment goodies, and for the first time, a more engaging F Sport model variant. Framed as Lexus’ entry-level midsize luxury sedan, the ES is the most popular four-door in the brand’s stable, selling in 90 countries across the globe. However, does it have what it takes to compete with rivals from Europe? To find out, Lexus flew me out to Nashville, Tennessee, to give it a drive.

Toyota first introduced the Corolla nameplate way back in 1966, and since then, an incredible 11 generations have come and gone. The latest twelfth-generation broke cover in March of 2018 at the Geneva Motor Show, and with it, Toyota unveiled a fresh hot hatchback iteration that promises more fun thanks to sporty suspension tuning, a rev-happy 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an available six-speed manual transmission, and snappy good looks.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback.

While there are more than a few high-end hot hatchbacks out there these days (Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic Type R, and Volkswagen Golf R, to name a few) not all enthusiasts can justify the 40-grand entry fee. Luckily, the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback provides loads of thrills for roughly half the cost.

Three-pedal transmission options are few and far between these days, but luckily, Toyota is keeping the hope alive with its new 2019 Corolla Hatchback. Not only does this five-door bring the sporting hotness thanks to its sharp styling and nippy handling, but its six-speed gearbox is extremely forgiving to those new to ways of the stick shift.